CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (3/11/12) — Trailing 9-3 after five innings, the Arkansas State Red Wolves rallied with six runs, including the game-tying run in the ninth to force extra innings, but Austin Peay (9-5) managed a run in the 11^th to hand A-State a 10-9 loss in the final game of the Riverview Inn Challenge Sunday afternoon at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Arkansas State (8-8) scored once in the sixth and four times in the seventh to pull within a single run at 9-8.  After both teams went 1-2-3 in the eighth, center fielder Michael Faulkner led off the ninth for ASU with a single, moved to second on an errant pickoff attempt, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an infield single from first baseman Zach George to tie the game in the ninth.

Following a scoreless 10^th inning, the Governors scored the winning run in the 11^th when designated hitter Jon Clinard led off with a single, advanced to second on a single from center fielder Michael Blanchard and came home on a base hit from third baseman Greg Bachman.

With the loss, ASU finished 1-2 at the Challenge after defeating Dayton 9-3 Friday and falling to Northern Illinois 6-5 Saturday.

“I am proud of the fact that we didn't give in, and we showed some character on the road,” said ASU head coach Tommy Raffo.  “We just couldn't overcome some things on the road.  We want to put ourselves in a position every single time at the end of the game to win it, and we did have that opportunity at the end.  It didn't turn out to be a win for the Red Wolves, but I think in the end it is going to work out for us.”

Arkansas State wasted no time in getting on the board when Faulkner led off the game with a single, advanced to second on a balk, stole third and scored on a double from right fielder Collin Massanelli.  A two-run opposite-field home run from left fielder Logan Uxa later in the inning pushed the Red Wolves' lead to 3-0.  Austin Peay countered in the bottom of the inning, getting a two-out, two-run double from second baseman Jordan Hankins to cut the ASU lead to 3-2.

Austin Peay tied the game in the fourth when shortstop Reed Harper walked and eventually scored on an ASU throwing error, and the Governors went on top 4-3 on an RBI double from catcher Matt Wollenzin.  APSU would add five more runs, including home runs from right fielder Dylan Riner and third baseman Greg Bachman, to pad its lead to 9-3 before the Red Wolves could get out of the frame.

A solo home run to lead off the sixth from George cut the Governors' lead to 9-4 and four runs in the seventh pulled the Red Wolves within a single run.  Massanelli got the scoring started in the seventh with an RBI single, followed by a two-out, two-run double from Uxa that cut the APSU lead to 9-7.  An RBI single from designated hitter Ryan Emery cut the A-State deficit to one at 9-8 and set the stage for George's high chopper that drove in Faulkner to tie the game in the ninth.

Arkansas State used eight pitchers in the game, with junior Morgan Croft (0-1) taking the loss.  Croft was responsible for what proved to be the game-winning run after surrendering the first two singles of the 11^th before being replace by freshman Tyler Winfield.  Sophomore Bradley Wallace started and gave up six runs on six hits in three innings of work, striking out four and walking three.  Mike Hebert worked the final four innings for APSU to get the win.  Hebert struck out eight batters while giving up one run on three hits, with no walks.

Uxa went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored to lead ASU at the plate, while Faulkner was 3-for-6 with three runs scored and three stolen bases, bringing his season stolen base total to 16.   Clinard and Hawkins each had three hits to lead the Governors.

Faulkner, Uxa and catcher Ryan Roberts were named to the Riverview Inn All-Challenge team at the conclusion of the game.

Arkansas State will return to action March 16-18 when the Red Wolves host UALR in the 2012 Sun Belt Conference opening series.  Friday's is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and Sunday's game three will get underway at 1:00 p.m.

NOTES

-        Junior Michael Faulkner recorded his 14^th stolen base of the season in the first inning, then added his 15^th in the seventh and 16^th in the 11th.  Faulkner came into the weekend with 10 stolen bases to lead the Sun Belt Conference and had six for the weekend.

-        Faulkner has now reached base in 14 consecutive games.

-        Freshman Collin Massanelli's first-inning double was his third of the season.  Massanelli currently has a five-game hitting streak, the longest on the team.

-        Junior Logan Uxa's first-inning home run was his second home run of the season.

-        Junior catcher Ryan Roberts threw out two APSU base runners attempting to steal, doubling his total for the season.

-        Sophomore Bradley Wallace tied his career high with four strikeouts.

-        Sophomore Zach George's home run in the sixth inning was his first of the season.

-        The game was A-State's first extra-inning game of the season.

-        Junior closer John Koch's 3.0 innings on the mound were the most he has worked this season.

-        The game lasted 4:35, making it the longest game of the season for the Red Wolves.